Elif Eralp, a 45-year-old attorney whose parents fled Turkey for Germany following a military coup, has emerged as the leading candidate to become Berlin’s next mayor following her party’s strong performance in a recent election. Die Linke secured approximately 26% of the vote, outpacing the centre-left Social Democrats, the Greens, and the Christian Democratic Union. Eralp’s campaign gained particular traction among younger voters and those who had not participated in previous elections, powered by grassroots organizing and social media engagement modeled on strategies employed in American progressive campaigns.
Eralp’s platform centers on addressing Berlin’s housing crisis, with particular focus on confronting corporate landlords and large real estate entities. She has proposed expropriating over 200,000 apartments currently held by corporate owners, positioning housing affordability as a central social issue for the city. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has opposed these policies, characterizing them as economically damaging and signaling intent to pursue legislative measures to prevent their implementation. Eralp has indicated her determination to proceed with her proposals regardless of such opposition.
Forming a governing coalition remains uncertain, as potential partners including the Social Democrats and Greens have indicated they require clarification regarding allegations that Die Linke has failed to adequately address antisemitism within party ranks and has tolerated connections to criminal organizations. Die Linke’s leadership has denied these accusations while committing to strengthen safeguards. The party announced that a Berlin legislator facing allegations of gang ties and associations with organizations linked to pro-Hamas activity would suspend parliamentary duties pending further review. Eralp has publicly stated her unequivocal commitment to protecting all residents, including Jewish citizens, and her opposition to any glorification of violence or terrorism.
Eralp has emphasized the ordinary nature of her life, residing in a rental apartment in Kreuzberg with her family while maintaining her children’s privacy. She conducted extensive campaigning in Turkish throughout her district and has referenced her family’s experience navigating the asylum process as formative to her political worldview and commitment to social justice.
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